Weird shimmy
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 37
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From: Bonita Springs, FL
Weird shimmy
Hello everyone, I have a 2010 flhtcu. I recently put a new tire on the front and had them put new bearings in. I figured "since its off,just replace them new". The weird " shimmy" I am having is only between 70-80 mph. Anything under 70 and over 80 the bike rides fantastic. For some reason, in that 10 mph window, it has a shimmy. It actually feels like having an unbalanced tire on there. I checked and the air pressure in the tire is perfect.
I took it back to the shop and had them rebalance the tire. I watched them balance it using dyna beads and it balanced true. Alas, the shimmy is still there. They say that they used the correct bearings, but I have my doubts as this just started with the replacement of the bearings.
My questions...... Has anyone heard of a shimmy/unbalanced feeling like a describe coming from the fitment of wrong bearings? I have a non abs bike, I'm thinking they may have put abs bearings in. Could that cause the shimmy/unbalanced feeling at only those speeds?
Any input is very much appreciated, thanks, Dan
I took it back to the shop and had them rebalance the tire. I watched them balance it using dyna beads and it balanced true. Alas, the shimmy is still there. They say that they used the correct bearings, but I have my doubts as this just started with the replacement of the bearings.
My questions...... Has anyone heard of a shimmy/unbalanced feeling like a describe coming from the fitment of wrong bearings? I have a non abs bike, I'm thinking they may have put abs bearings in. Could that cause the shimmy/unbalanced feeling at only those speeds?
Any input is very much appreciated, thanks, Dan
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: South Florida
ABS bearing in your hub will not mount up to your forks and calipers correctly.ABS bearing is 3mm thicker.So wrong bearing is not your problem.Have you had the rear tire rebalanced?
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From: Honah Lee
Watch this.
Most modern bike tires are very close these days. The aluminum wheels also. (steel spokes are not) My front and rear have one 1/4 oz stick on weights. Beads only dampen vibration but if there is a real problem, you really need a true attached weight determined by a modern and correct machine doing both static and dynamic.
You are not going to be able to do that with the beads in there.
I doubt it's the bearings. You can jack tire off ground and make sure bearing fills good. If it was offset, the caliper usually will not center. Could be the tire itself but I think you would see a run out or wobble if it is bad jacked up.
A tire that has one heavy spot centered requires 1/2 the weight 180 degrees on both sides. (rare) It gives a bounce fill. If its heavy at different places, it creates a twist as the heavy slings out. This not corrected correctly gives you the shimmy.
Most modern bike tires are very close these days. The aluminum wheels also. (steel spokes are not) My front and rear have one 1/4 oz stick on weights. Beads only dampen vibration but if there is a real problem, you really need a true attached weight determined by a modern and correct machine doing both static and dynamic.
You are not going to be able to do that with the beads in there.
I doubt it's the bearings. You can jack tire off ground and make sure bearing fills good. If it was offset, the caliper usually will not center. Could be the tire itself but I think you would see a run out or wobble if it is bad jacked up.
A tire that has one heavy spot centered requires 1/2 the weight 180 degrees on both sides. (rare) It gives a bounce fill. If its heavy at different places, it creates a twist as the heavy slings out. This not corrected correctly gives you the shimmy.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Sep 15, 2015 at 05:44 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,062
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From: Boise, Idaho
Watch this.
Most modern bike tires are very close these days. The aluminum wheels also. (steel spokes are not) My front and rear have one 1/4 oz stick on weights. Beads only dampen vibration but if there is a real problem, you really need a true attached weight determined by a modern and correct machine doing both static and dynamic.
You are not going to be able to do that with the beads in there.
Dyna beads not balancing the tire - YouTube
Most modern bike tires are very close these days. The aluminum wheels also. (steel spokes are not) My front and rear have one 1/4 oz stick on weights. Beads only dampen vibration but if there is a real problem, you really need a true attached weight determined by a modern and correct machine doing both static and dynamic.
You are not going to be able to do that with the beads in there.
Dyna beads not balancing the tire - YouTube
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,623
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From: Honah Lee
You actually see weights on truck's front tires now do to the speed. The old bag dampened at 55 but did little at the speed they are doing out there now. Trucks ride so rough, you would not fill a big rig tire unless it was a lb out. I ride with my brother in law when he makes his run down my way. We deliver foam to big box stores. I cannot even read a map or focus on the GPS in the passenger side of his 18 wheeler. His seat is spring and shocked.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Sep 15, 2015 at 06:23 PM.
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I have been using beads in the tubes on my factory laced wheels for years they work fine, you probably have a bad tire like another member said. Most people probably wouldn't notice but I would, tell them if they can't stop the shake then replace the tire again. You paid, they replaced the bearings aswell they should step up and try to make you happy. If it shakes when its new its only going to get worse as the tire wears and start to cup, and yeah that doesn't help the bearings.
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Your automotive tire balance machine isn't spinning the wheel and tire nearly long enough for the Dyna Beads to distribute throughout the inside of the tire. You would need a machine that does a dynamic balance and spins the tire for a bit longer. Much like the old spin balancers that used a strobe light. I think you have rushed to judgement on the beads and their effectiveness. I should also mention that the beads are what commercial truckers use to balance their tires. If they "Didn't balance the tire" as you stated the trucking industry would give this up in a heart beat. JMHO